Module 15 - The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Forney, E. (2007). The absolutely true diary of a part-time indian. Little, Brown Books for Children, Boston.

Summary
Junior, a 14-year old Indian living on his tribal reservation, otherwise known as a rez, is the subject of abuse on a daily basis due to water on his brain at birth.  He is the odd-ball of the reservation because of his appearance and brain surgeries where even grown men pick on him and beat him up.  Living with his parents, sister and grandmother, Junior goes through daily life watching the drunkenness, the abuse and the inequity that goes with being an Indian.  After losing his temper when seeing his mom's name in his math book, he realizes that no one believes that those on the reservation deserve the education, dreams and future that the white people do.  After a heartfelt conversation with the teacher whose noese Junior broke when he threw the book, Junior takes a huge risk and transfers schools to Reerdon, a white farm-town 22 miles away from the reservation where he is the only Indian in attendance.


My Impression
At first this book was too much for me!  I was shocked in the beginning when Junior talks about masturbation.  However, after continuing with the book and taking the shocking comments in stride, I can see the appeal of this book for young adult readers.  I think the book does a great job telling the story of line on an Indian reservation and the depression, alcoholism and abuse that happens in that culture.  It tells a very compelling story to those who are not familiar with the life of Indians and the oppression they have felt for generations.  It opens a reader's eyes to the different world and life of Native Americans while keeping an adolescent reader engrossed with the vulgar humor.


Review
Chipman, I. (2007) [Review of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie]. Booklist, 103 ( 22).

Arnold Spirit, a goofy-looking dork with a decent jumpshot, spends his time lamenting life on the ìpoor-assî Spokane Indian reservation, drawing cartoons (which accompany, and often provide more insight than, the narrative), and, along with his aptly named pal Rowdy, laughing those laughs over anything and nothing that affix best friends so intricately together. When a teacher pleads with Arnold to want more, to escape the hopelessness of the rez, Arnold switches to a rich white school and immediately becomes as much an outcast in his own community as he is a curiosity in his new one. He weathers the typical teenage indignations and triumphs like a champ but soon faces far more trying ordeals as his home life begins to crumble and decay amidst the suffocating mire of alcoholism on the reservation. Alexie's humor and prose are easygoing and well suited to his young audience, and he doesnít pull many punches as he levels his eye at stereotypes both warranted and inapt.  A few of the plotlines fade to gray by the end, but†this ultimately affirms the incredible power of best friends to hurt and heal in equal measure. Younger teens looking for the strength to lift themselves out of rough situations would do well to start here. Grades 7-10


Suggestion for Library Use
I actually have no thoughts about how to use this book in the library, except to use it in a display for censored books.

Module 14 - Twelve Impossbile Things Before Breakfast

Yolen, J. (2001). Twelve impossible things before breakfast. 

Summary

A collection of short stories from familiar children's books allows the reader an opportunity to see the characters in a new light.  From Alice growing tougher in Wonderland on one of her return visits, to a dear mother who returns from the dead, the descent of Peter Pan's women, and a new twist on Billy Goats Gruff, Yolen writes a collection of short stories that can take place before you have breakfast!

My Impression
If you like short stories this is a great book for you.  It gives familiar stories a new perspective introducing new characters and stories.  It is definitely written for older elementary to middle school students due to the crazy happenings in certain stories. 

Book Review
This solid collection of short stories is a good introduction to various types of fantasy. Three of the 12 pieces are new and the rest have been published in other compilations. There is something here for everyone tales that are scary, gross, or fanciful. Some of the selections are reworkings of parts of children's classics, such as Alice in Wonderland (Alice learns how to be tough with the Jabberwock) and Peter Pan (Captain Hook is singing a new tune now that he is married to a modern-day feminist). "The Bridge's Complaint" puts a different spin on "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" by relating events from the bridge's point of view. The tales are set in different times--some in the past, some in the present, and some in the near or distant future. "Wilding" is a chilling futuristic look at New York City's Central Park, based on the gang violence that occurred there in the late 1980s. There's a story of a frightening sea monster, one about a fairy, and another about aliens; all will chill and delight the imagination.

Golodetz, V. (1997). [Review of Twelve Impossible Things Before Breakfast by Jane Yolen].  School LIbrary Journal, 43,(12). 132.

Suggetions for Library Use
This is a great book to use as a read aloud in the library with upper elementary students.  Students can practice the skill of  mental imaging while being read this book.  It would also be a good book to peek the interest of student to read short story books.

The Day-Glo Brothers Book Trailer

View this book trailer here.

All the Broken Pieces - Book Trailer

Watch trailer for this book here.

14 Cows for America - Book Trailer

Watch the trailer for this book here.

Module 13 - The Plain Janes

Castellucci, C. & Rugg, J. (2007). The plain Janes. New York: DC Comics.

Summary

Jane moves to the safe, quiet suburbs with her parents after a terrorist bomb explodes in the big city.  Not wanting to relocate Jane cuts her blonde hair and colors it dark as a way of rebelling.  New to the school, Jane decides she will not be friends with the popular girls although she knows she would fit right in. At lunch Jane sits with a group of quiet girls who seem to be doing their own thing: reading, homework, listening to music.  When she introduces herself she is surprised to discover each of them is named Jane as well.  Over time Jane begins to break into this odd group of girls and make friends with them as well as connecting with their interests.  In time Jane convinces the girls to make art throughout the city as a way to spark art awareness.  It is here where P.L.A.I.N. is created and various works of art and begin show up throughout the town.  This is a graphic novel where description is left in the eye of the reader show that even those who don't fit in can find their place.

My Impression

I enjoyed this book, but did not like how it left the reader hanging at the end.  I assume it is a series and will be interested to see what else the P.L.A.I.N. Janes have up their sleeves.  Being my first graphic novel to read from beginning to end, I enjoyed the graphics and story line.  It kept me engaged and interested throughout, waiting to see what would happen next.

Review

DC Comics' imprint of graphic novels for girls, Minx, starts off with a bang with this elegant story of art in the suburbs. As Jane walks past a sidewalk café in Metro City, a terrorist's bomb goes off. Her parents, over-taken by fear, move the family to the small town of Kent Waters. The popular girls at Buzz Aldrin High court her, but Jane wants to be an outsider. She finds three other girls named Jane, all of them unpopular in different ways--one is "Brain Jane," one an aspiring actress and one an athlete--and together the four of them make "art attacks" on the city, leaving the name P.L.A.I.N. (People Loving Art In Neighborhoods) wherever they go. They build pyramids on the site of a planned strip mall ("The pyramids lasted for thousands of years. Do you think this strip mall will?") and populate the police department's lawn with gnomes. But to a community consumed with elevated threat levels, the attacks seem more ominous than generous, and P.L.A.I.N. becomes an outlaw group. All the while,Jane continues to write letters to John Doe, the unidentified man whose life she saved during the bombing--and who sits in a hospital, comatose, his sketchbook serving as her muse. Castellucci (Boy Proof) and Rugg (co-creator of Street Angel) nimbly make their larger point--that fear is an indulgence we must give ourselves permission to overcome--without ever preaching, and without neglecting the dynamics of a page-turning coming-of-age story. 

N.A. (2007). [Review of The Plain Janes]. Publisher Weekly, 245(15). 56.


Suggestions for Library Use
I would use this book as a way to rope in a reluctant reader.  A quick read and interesting visuals would keep many interested in figuring out how it ends.  This book could also by used in a display to discuss taking action in the community and what to be cautious about.

Module 12 - Our Eleanor

Fleming, C. (2005). Our Eleanor: a scrapbook look at Eleanor Roosevelt's remarkable life. New York, Atheneum Books for Young Readers.


Summary
This is a biography of one of the most memorable first ladies in United States history. Designed in scrapbook-like fashion, Our Eleanor takes the reader through Eleanor Roosevelt's life from childhood to the White House and to her death in 1962.  This biography delivers the life of Mrs. Roosevelt more like a story with pictures and captions than other biographies.  Fleming took pictures and items from Mrs. Roosevelt's life and arranged them so the reader could read and learn about the life of this woman and while looking at a scrapbook of a family member. 


My Impressions

A lovely memoir of the life of Eleanor Roosevelt with personal pictures and items that give unique insight into her life, her thoughts and insecurities.  I never knew Mrs. Roosevelt's contributions until reading this book and have a new found respect for her that's deeper than before.  The author does a great job creating a book that the reader can read at any pace or order they wish.  The pictures and captions allow for an easy read without having to go from start to finish.

Review

In this standout biography, Fleming employs the scrapbook style she debuted in Benjamin Franklin's Almanac for another American icon, Eleanor Roosevelt, the "first lady of the world," in the words of former president Truman.Short chapters arranged into a pastiche of narratives and deftly supported by photographs, newspaper articles, letters and humorous cartoons explore how this sad "Little Nell," as her father called her, emerged from an unhappy albeit privileged childhood to become an indefatigable champion of the poor and powerless. So controversial that she inspired "one of the largest FBI files in American history" (3,271pages), Eleanor was also beloved by thousands of Americans, who wrote to her seeking advice or solace. Fleming documents many of the ways Eleanor herself evolved, such as how her prejudiced views on Jews changed over time, and some of the ways in which she remained faithful to herself even if it brought her pain. Eleanor's intellect attracted her charming and ambitious cousin Franklin, and their divergent approaches to life would divide them as a couple but also strengthen them as political partners. Fleming relies on the prolific words of Eleanor herself, family members, friends and observers to enhance this multi-faceted life story. The attractive design capitallizes on these various perspectives, often highlighted in different type treatments; yet the overall appearance is one of cohesion. With this approach, Fleming allows readers to draw their own conclusions; they will come away with an understanding of a woman who shaped her times and left a lasting imprint on the future. Ages 10-14. 

N.A. (2005). [Review of the book Our Eleanor: a scrap book look at Eleanor Roosevelt's remarkable life]. Publishers Weekly, 252,(37). 68-69.

Suggested Library Use

Of course this would be a great book to do a book talk on when discussing biographies or historical figures to students.  However, this would be a great book to do a book talk on and post to the library web site to encourage students to try something new.  Not being a fan of biographies, I really enjoyed this book and would like to share that excitement with the students through a book talk.

Module 11 - Now and Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin

Barretta, G. (2006). Now and Ben: the modern inventions of Benjamin Franklin. Harry Holt and Company, New York.

Summary
The impact Benjamin Franklin had on today's society is more than most young readers know about until they read this book.  A colorful picture book that shows readers how many of today's common items began with an invention from Benjamin Franklin.


My Impression
I thought this book was delightful in telling how Benjamin Franklin impacted so many of today's modern conveniences.  On one page the author tells what we have today and on the opposite page shows how Franklin came up with the idea.  This is not a typical informational text, but far more entertaining and informative than first expected.

Review

2-5-A clever. concise introduction to tbe contributions of this colorful colonial figure. In the first spread it depicts Franklin standing proudly in his family home with his wife and children smiling from within. The various occupations-writer, printer, diplomat, musician, liumorist, postmaster, scientist, inventor, humanitarian-are written out in cobblestones beneath him. Next is a spread of a busy city street today. which challenges readers to guess which modem conveniences are owed to tbe subject's creativity. Subsequent spreads take a closer look at each invention from political cartoons, bifocals, electricity, lightning rod. and Franklin stove to daylight saving time and more. Each spread features a "Now..." description of a modern concept or convenience facing an early "Ben..." idea. "Now.. .every automobile has an odometer to measure the distance it travels. Ben...invented the odometer when he was postmaster general so he could measure his postal routes." The fanciful final spread depicts a futuristic scene with flying-saucer vehicle and robot servers, which encourages youngsters to imagine how today's inventions will evolve in time.  Engaging and humorous watercolor cartoons depict just how Franklin's inventions were conceived and developed.  

Auerbach, B. (2006). [Book review of Now and Ben: the modern inventions of Benjamin Franklin]. School Library Journal, 52(3), 206.

Suggestion for Library Use
Older elementary students study inventors and inventions as per the Texas TEKS.  This book would be a nice read aloud and picture sharing book in a small group in the library.  If not used in this manner, it would be a great book for students to it in a small group and read and discuss together.

Module 10 - When Jessie Came Across the Sea

Hest, A. (1997). When Jessie came across the sea. Massachusetts, Candlewick.

Summary

Jessie, a young girl who lives with her grandmother, is given the opportunity from her rabbi to travel to America to begin a new life.  Having learned to read and sew in her home country, Jessie takes her skills and travels by boat, alone, wet, cold and sick to America.  Jessie lives with a family connected to her home village and works in a seamstress' house to save her money.  Jessie finds an old friend from the days sailing to America and the friendship blossoms into more.  She is asked for her hand in marriage but puts it on hold until she can bring her grandmother to America to live with her.

My Impressions

The story alone can tug at any reader's heart, but the illustrations with the immense detail bring this story to life.  Following Jessie across the ocean to what you hope, page by page, is a better life keeps the reader engaged in the story.  I thought this was a great story to tell of life as it was many years ago when sending a young child, alone to another land, took faith and hope!

Review

This narrative of 13-year-old Jessie's journey from a poor village in Eastern Europe to New fork City at the turn of the century affords readers a panoramic view of events and people. The author's exploration of a variety of emotions and feelings provides modern youngsters with a sense of connections with times long past. There is the familial devotion between Jessie and her grandmother whom she has to leave behind. A shipboard friendship with Lou, a young shoemaker, helps Jessiesurvive the hardships and uncertainties of the ocean crossing. Her skill as a lacemaker painstakingly learned from her grandmother, insures her success in the dressmaker's shop where she goes to work.Her romance with Lou is rekindled when they meet years later on a wintry day in Central Park. Jessie'sreunion with her grandmother, whose ticket she has purchased with money saved during years of hard work is the poignant conclusion to this tale. Lynch's luminous watercolor and gouache illustrations capture the characters' feelings, at the same time recording the storms at sea and teeming streets of the Lower East Side. The two young people's spirit of hope and optimism, created by the straightforward text, is enhanced by these pictures, as they provide a visual record of difficulties encountered by the scores of immigrants who reached these shores. This book will be particularly useful for units on immigration and family histories, used in conjunction with Allen Say's Grandfather's Journey (Houghton, 1993) or Jeanette Winter's Klara's New World (Knopf, 1992, o.p.).

Rosen, M. (1997). [Book review of When Jessie Came Across the Sea, by Amy Hest]. School Library Journal, 43,11, 82-83.


Suggested Use in a Libray
This book could be used in a library setting as a read aloud to compliment a classroom's unit on immigration.  

Module 9 - The Postcard

Abbot, T. (2008). The postcard. New York: Little, Brown and Company.


Summary:
When Jason's grandmother dies in Florida, Jason is sent to help his father with the arrangements.  It's the beginning of summer and Jason was looking forward to staying in Boston with his best friend for the summer.  First the heat and humidity about does Jason in.  But when he and his father are receiving the condolences of his grandmother's  friend, Jason begins to get suspicious about who his grandmother really was, as he has never met her.  While helping his dad  clean out the house, Jason finds a postcard that appeared to be taped and hidden in an old desk.  He also receives a strange phone call telling him to look closer at the postcard.  Jason is baffled and just wants to go home!  After a little too much to drink Jason's dad falls from a ladder and injures himself.  While his father is in the hospital Jason starts to uncover his grandmother's past and gets to the bottom of that strange characters at the funeral.


My Impression:
It took a long time to get into this book.  I think the beginning wasn't as well written as the middle to the end. Maybe that was for the sake of the mystery, to keep the reader as confused as Jason.  However, had I not had to read this book in a limited amount of time, I would have abandoned it.  I did enjoy the end where the mystery wraps up and answers are given.  It just took awhile to begin to enjoy it.


Review:
"How smart are you?" Jason, a teenager helping his father sort through the belongings of his recently deceased grandmother, is asked this question by a mystery voice over the phone in this novel (Little, Brow, 2008) by Tony Abbott.An old, yellowed postcard provides the first clue in a hunt for long-hidden manuscripts that tell a continuing story of circus villains and true love, among other things. Jason also finds an old magazine with a story about someone named Marnie-a name the funeral director calls his grandmother Agnes. Jason and his sidekick Dia visit several of Florida's older landmarks to learn about his grandmother's hidden past. This is a story-within-a-story: Jason and Dia search for the hidden manuscript, and there are scene switches to the story of Nick Falcon and his beloved Marnie. How these two stories intertwine and end up at the same place is the best part of all. The excellent plot contains twists and turns around every corner, and the story is fast-paced with enough mystery and humor to keep the attention of listeners. Lincoln Hoppe creates individual voices for all the characters, from teenagers to eccentric circus folk.


Baker, L. (2008). [Review of The postcard by Tony Abbott]. School Library Journal, 54,8: 64-65.


Suggestions for Library Use:
This book could be used in a display of mystery books.